A method and apparatus for allowing a transparent service option transition between at least two wireless communication devices (WCDs). A first communication between a first WCD and a second WCD is established using a first service option. At some point during the first communication, a transition to a second service option, such as an asynchronous data service option, is initiated. At least one of the WCDs provides an identification code to the other WCD using a signaling protocol over the first service option. The first communication is then terminated. A second communication using the second service option is then initiated by one of the WCDs, resulting in a seamless transition to the second service option.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An apparatus for facilitating a transparent service option transition between a first communication device and a second communication device, comprising: said first communication device, comprising: a processor for establishing a first communication with said second communication device using a first service option, said second communication device identified by a first identification code; a storage device for storing a second identification code also corresponding to said second communication device; and said processor further for terminating said first communication and for automatically initiating said second communication with said second communication device using said second identification code, said second communication using a second service option.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said identification code comprises an alpha-numeric code associated with said first communication device for use in communications using said second service option.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second communication is initiated within a predetermined time period.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a receiver for receiving said second identification code during said first communication; said processor further for storing said second identification code in said storage device.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a DTMF demodulator for demodulating said second identification code.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a countdown timer for determining the time between terminating said first communication and the initiating of said second communication; wherein a communication from a third communication device is rejected if said countdown timer has not expired.
7. A method for facilitating a transparent service option transition between a first communication device and a second communication device, comprising: establishing a first communication with said second communication device using a first service option; transmitting a request to transition said first communication to a second communication using a second service option; and transitioning said first communication to said second communication, wherein said transitioning comprises: retrieving an identification code corresponding to said second communication device from a storage device located within said first communication device; terminating said first communication; and initiating said second communication using said identification code to identify said second communication device.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said initiating said second communication comprises establishing said second communication within a predetermined period from the time said first communication was terminated.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said retrieving said identification code further comprises: receiving said identification code from said second communication device; and storing said identification code in a storage device within said first communication device.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising using DTMF demodulation to demodulate said identification code prior to said storing said identification code in said storage device.
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February 7, 2001
January 24, 2006
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